Kaura Namoda, in Zamfara State, is home to the last terminus of the North-western line of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). It once held the hope of a trans-border rail link that would have extended train service to Niamey, the Niger Republic capital.
Rich in agricultural produce, the town last saw a train pass through its dusty corridor 26 years ago. The tracks became rutted over time following neglect.
But the story may change soon as the NRC has restored its train service in the area, with the rehabilitation of the Zaria-Gusau-Kaura Namoda rail line.
At the ceremony last Wednesday, the Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, said the service would enhance the economic fortunes of Zamfara State and the Northwest zone. It would afford passengers, especially farmers, an opportunity to transport their produce across the country.
Yuguda, who represented Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the restoration of the service was in fulfillment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise to support farming and entrepreneurship in the Northwestern zone. He added that the project would open up the zone and also be a catalyst for job creation.
He said the Federal Government has articulated a 25-year strategic plan for rail development aimed at reviving the rail system that was neglected for 30 years.
Yuguda said: “In keeping with our commitment to the development of infrastructure and comprehensive service delivery, this administration has in addition to the rehabilitation of our rail networks on both the western and eastern rail lines, procured a number of rolling stock, particularly wagons and coaches.
“The procurement and refurbishment of this rolling stock is a continuous exercise in order for us to fully realise our resolve to transform the sub-sector.”
The modernisation of the rail system, he said, is progressing steadily, adding that the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge is almost completed having attained over 90 percent completion while the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Standard Gauge is at an advanced stage of completion. He said when all these are completed, Nigerians would have a better experience patronising the train.
“I am happy to reiterate the Federal Government’s determination to develop modern rail network by further constructing the Coastal Railway Line, which is to connect the commercial city of Lagos with the oil producing states of the Niger Delta and connect the commercial cities of the eastern part of the country as well as link the northern part through the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail Line,” Yuguda said.
The Managing Director Adeseyi Sijuwade described the event as historic. He said history was being made as the train service is being restored many years after.
He said to underscore importance of the occasion, the Corporation is dedicating to the route two air-conditioned first class coach, along with a fleet of second class coaches. He added that two air-conditioned rail cars have also been assigned for the use of its officials to sustain the regular maintenance of the route.
He described the rehabilitation of the Zaria-Gusau-Kaura Namoda route as a dream come true as the Corporation could be said to have completed the rehabilitation of the Western line, which terminates in the historic town.
He said the NRC was expecting a huge fallout from the revival of the route as many could make use of the train service, adding that the entire Northwestern zone is opened for higher passenger and cargo freighting by the corporation.
